In the relentless pursuit of carbon neutrality, the Landfill Methane Capture solution emerges as an instrumental strategy. It pertains to the methodical capture of methane emissions originating from municipal solid waste in landfills, subsequently channeling this biogas into electricity generation. By diverting methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from escaping into the atmosphere, this solution exerts a two-fold climate benefit: preventing landfill emissions and displacing conventional energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

The mechanics of landfill methane capture are relatively uncomplicated, involving the deployment of dispersed, perforated tubes deep within landfills to collect escaping gas. This gas is then channeled to a central collection point, from where it can be safely vented, flared, compressed, purified for use in electricity generation or heat production, or even integrated into the natural gas supply.

At the heart of this solution lies the objective of achieving an impressive 85 percent or higher efficiency in engineered and closed landfills, while open dumps typically attain a less favorable efficiency of approximately 10 percent, rendering capture economically challenging. It is crucial to emphasize that landfill methane capture is considered a last resort in waste treatment, only preferable to uncontrolled landfilling without methane capture. Nonetheless, it stands as a vital approach in the mission to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

By adopting landfill methane capture for electricity generation and gas flaring, societies can achieve substantial reductions in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The technology is well-established and has been widely utilized for several decades.

The potential addressable market for the Landfill Methane Capture solution is derived from projections of global electricity generation spanning from 2020 to 2050, as per IEA 2023 and IRENA 2023. While these sources do not delineate between landfill methane capture and biogas technologies, our calculations estimate that landfill methane capture represents 30 percent of total biogas for electricity generation, with the remaining 70 percent allocated to methane capture from agriculture, manure, and wastewater.

As the adoption of landfill methane capture intensifies from 2020 to 2050, it is anticipated to generate a formidable 6.98 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2050. This marks a commendable reduction of 3.89 gigatons in carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.

While landfill methane capture may entail upfront costs, the long-term benefits are undeniable. Beyond the climate advantages, landfills employing methane capture are safer, posing fewer public health risks. As engineered sanitary landfills increasingly replace open dumps and basic landfills on a global scale, the percentage of landfills employing methane capture is poised for growth, further bolstering the commendable mission of climate mitigation.

To contribute to this imperative effort, individuals are encouraged to engage in reducing waste and supporting policies that prioritize responsible waste management and the adoption of landfill methane capture technologies.

References.
Greenpeace (2015). World Energy [R]evolution, a sustainable world energy outlook. Greenpeace. Retrieved from: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/climate/2015/Energy-Revolution-2015-Full.pdf

IRENA (2023), World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023: 1.5°C Pathway, Volume 1, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi.

IEA (2023), Energy Technology Perspectives 2023, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-technology-perspectives-2023, License: CC BY 4.0